Stefan Bajcetic’s Liverpool career was supposed to be a story of the next big thing.
When Jurgen Klopp thrust the then-18-year-old into his midfield in the 2022/23 season, he impressed and ended up making 22 appearances that season.
UK ONLY
A series of debilitating injuries – calf, back, and hamstring problems – have kept Bajcetic off the pitch for the vast majority of the past three seasons.
His last appearance for Liverpool came in a brief cameo against Tottenham in May 2024, meaning he did not feature under Andoni Iraola’s predecessor, Arne Slot, at all.
In a bid to manage his fitness and keep him sharp, Liverpool allowed him out on loan. First to Red Bull Salzburg, then to Las Palmas in La Liga. He accumulated 33 appearances across both spells.
Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo reported Bajcetic is now actively “negotiating his departure” from the club, with Spain firmly identified as his priority destination. Three La Liga clubs have been named as the frontrunners: Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano, and Elche.
And now, while new reports stop short of suggesting that Bajcetic is actively working on a departure, it’s clear his future is not clear.
Gregg Evans, reporting in the Athletic’s Transfer Dealsheet, has reported that Stefan Bajcetic has interest from Spanish clubs this summer:
“Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa are the two senior players who face the most uncertain future, as well as Harvey Elliott following his return from an unsuccessful loan at Aston Villa.”
“A number of Spanish clubs are interested in Stefan Bajcetic, should Liverpool consider letting him leave this summer.”
Bajcetic will know that the clock is ticking on his Liverpool career — at 21, he desperately needs a consistent spell of games to prove his worth to the coaching staff again.
The club have long spoken warmly about his potential, but there is only so far that reputation and sentiment can carry him without regular minutes on the pitch.